The National Bank Open has unfolded with a series of compelling matches, highlighting both established stars and rising talents in the world of professional tennis. Amidst intense competition on Centre Court, several players have distinguished themselves, setting the stage for an electrifying conclusion to this prestigious ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
American tennis sensation Alex Michelsen continued his impressive form, securing a dominant straight-sets victory over his countryman Learner Tien. Michelsen, who entered the tournament as the No. 26 seed, demonstrated remarkable precision and composure, dispatching Tien with a confident 6-3, 6-3 scoreline in the round of 16. This win further solidifies his momentum, building on a strong run that included an earlier upset of the third-seeded Lorenzo Musetti of Italy.
Adding to the tournament’s drama, defending National Bank Open champion Aleksandar Popyrin fought valiantly to remain in contention for a second consecutive Canadian men’s tennis championship. His Saturday night match was a roller-coaster of emotions and strategic play, culminating in a remarkable comeback victory that captivated the audience.
Popyrin, seeded 18th in Toronto and ranked 26th on the ATP Tour, showcased his resilience by battling back from a set down against the formidable No. 5 seed Holger Rune. Despite initial frustrations and numerous missed break point opportunities, the towering Australian found his rhythm, ultimately overcoming Rune with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph. This victory underscores his ability to perform under pressure and reinforces his reputation as a tenacious competitor.
His comfort on Canadian soil is evident, as Popyrin previously clinched the 2024 tournament in Montreal for his third career title. The atmosphere in Canada seemingly resonates with him, providing a conducive environment for his powerful game. With this latest win, he added another top-10 player to his list of defeated opponents, marking his 13th career victory against such elite competition.
Elsewhere in the draw, top seed Alexander Zverev of Germany also advanced to the quarterfinals, albeit under unfortunate circumstances. His opponent, No. 14 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina, was forced to retire from their match due to an abdominal injury. Zverev was leading 6-4, 1-0 when Cerundolo withdrew, allowing the German to progress without completing the contest.
Further intensifying the quarterfinal lineup, Russia’s Karen Khachanov, the No. 11 seed, secured his own fourth-round victory. Khachanov displayed consistent form to defeat Norway’s No. 8 seed Casper Ruud in straight sets, finishing the match 6-4, 7-5. These results ensure a high-stakes quarterfinal stage featuring some of the world’s best tennis talent.
However, the journey ended for local hopefuls Cleeve Harper of Calgary and Liam Draxl of Newmarket, Ont., who were the last Canadians remaining in the doubles draw. The wild card duo battled hard but ultimately fell to Guido Andreozzi of Argentina and Sander Arends of the Netherlands in a tight second-round match, concluding their tournament run with a 7-5, 7-6 (3) loss.
